Nicole Scherzinger panics airline crew

Nicole Scherzinger panicked airline crew when she locked herself in the toilet of a plane before take-off.

The former Pussycat Dolls star reportedly forced staff to bang on the door, moments before the airliner was due to take off for London from Los Angeles and after all passengers had been asked to buckle-up for lift-off.

According to onlookers the brunette stunner - who was travelling in VIP-style - was left red-faced when she explained that she had to make an "emergency" call before they left LAX airport.

However Nicole, 37, didn't delay the flight as she managed to get back to her seat safely and in time for the plane to take off.

Meanwhile, it is thought the star was spending time Stateside to work on her new music.

The 'Don't Hold Your Breath' singer revealed she is back in the studio but admitted it might be a while before anyone hears her new material because she intends to take her time to make something "really classic".

She explained: "This December I'm back in the studio working on a new album and I want it to be really classic. I don't want it to be trendy. It's exciting."

Nicole released her second record 'Big Fat Lie' last year but it failed to perform well in the UK album charts, which led to her being dropped by her label RCA Records.